CHAPTER1

MAYA

August 2004

Oh, my lord, it was days like this that I found it so hard being a single mother. It's not that I didn't have support. I knew I just had to call up to the main house and someone would come and give me a hand. I wouldn't, though, because I already felt like a freeloader, no matter how many times they assured me that I wasn't, and they were more than happy to help me.

Not only had the Crows given me this lovely two-bedroom cottage and found me a job, but they didn't expect me to pay rent, and that was the bit I struggled with, even though I was so grateful. It did mean that I was able to save for a rainy day .

Usually, I'd be able to get over my feelings of inadequacy, but when it's two o'clock in the morning and you've been walking the floors for hours because your baby isn't feeling well because she's teething with her molars, it's hard not to let those doubts creep up on you.

My arms were about ready to give out on me. I was so tired that I was about ready to join my little girl in crying. There wasn't much I could do other than give her the children's pain reliever and rub her gums with teething gel. She'd get through it just like Jackson had, but boy, was she miserable and she was making it known.

Emy sniffled against my neck, chewing on the cold soaked rag I'd given her in hopes that it would help. I didn't think it did more than comfort her, but it had kept her quiet for a little while.

As that thought crossed my mind, she started whimpering again. ‘ Maybe a change of scenery would help ,' I thought, and if I wasn't going to get any sleep, I may as well go and clean and get a jump on my day. The kids could come with me. It wouldn't be the first time, and Liam didn't mind if I took them in with me.

Looking over at the sofa where my son was sitting watching cartoons, after being woken up by his sisters caterwauling.

"Jackson," I called out, waiting for him to turn towards me. When he does, I ask, "What do you say we go for a little drive to the next town and you guys help Mummy clean up the club? Maybe by the time we're finished, Emy will be feeling better, and we can all get some sleep."

"Okay," he nods, pushing his blanket off and going to put on his shoes.

My sweet boy. My heart aches for him. He'd had to grow up pretty fast and even though he was only four years old, sometimes he acted much older. Going to the fridge, I pulled out a couple of bottles of water and a few juice boxes, picking up the bag that I kept ready to go packed with spare clothes, toys, colouring books and pencils off the floor near the kitchen door, I added the water and juice to it. Once it was packed, I swung it over my shoulder and walked to the front door.

"Can you open the door for Mummy, please Jackson?"

Not quibbling, Jackson does as I ask. Once we're on the small porch, I have him close the door behind us. There's no reason to lock it, not living where we do.

Before long, I've got the two of them strapped into their car seats and we're on the road towards Fitheach to start cleaning The Lounge.

It doesn't take long for us to reach it, not at this time of the night. Some may think I'm nuts bringing the children out with me at this time of the night.

Not that I really cared because that was them and I'm me. I'll keep doing what I think is best for all of us and walking up and down our little cottage wasn't cutting it, but a change of scenery might. I guess being brought up in foster care had its advantages. I didn't have any well-meaning relatives getting involved telling me how to bring up my children.

I'd lived in both good and bad homes, and I'd picked up a few useful tips on parenting in both.

Parking behind The Lounge, I know that Adam will have someone watching the cameras, so once I have the children out of my car, I go to the back door, look up and wave at the camera. The green light blinks red then back to green, so I know someone knows we are here. Taking my keys, I open the door and rush to switch off the alarm. Once it's off, I set Emy down on the floor and she toddles off down the passage.

"Thank you, baby," I say to Jackson, taking the bag he'd carried from him and leading him to the office where I know there is a comfortable sofa for them to sit on.

Once I have them settled with juice boxes and a movie playing on the portable DVD I'd brought with. I set about getting the place clean and ready for the next night.

I'd been cleaning for about an hour and a bit when I heard Emy's voice. Frowning because I'd not long checked on them and her eyes had been drooping. I'd hoped she'd fall asleep and get some rest. Jackson had long since passed out.

Thinking she was calling for me, I hurried to the office. Jackson was still asleep, but there was no Emy. I wasn't too worried because there was no way she could get out of the club. She hadn't come my way, so I knew she wasn't at the front. Hearing her again, I hurried when a deep voice said something, and a high-pitched feminine voice answered.

‘Oh, shit,' I thought, hurrying towards the back entrance to find one of the O'Shea brothers and a brassy blonde woman up against the wall near the entrance .

They'd obviously been going at it hot and heavy when they'd been interrupted because Johnny and I knew it must be Johnny because I'd met both Adam and Liam when I interviewed for this job. Johnny was the only one I hadn't yet met, as he'd been away on business when I'd interviewed. I also knew he was the only dark-haired brother from pictures I'd seen in Liam's office.

Emy pulled on his trousers and in her sweet little voice demanded, "Daddy, up."

Biting my lip to stop the snigger that threatened to erupt from me as the woman with him hissed, "You've got children."

"What? No!" he rushed out in a slightly panicked tone.

Emy wasn't giving up, though. I knew she was just parroting what Mila said whenever she saw Onyx.

I'd ducked back around the corner when I'd first seen them, and I don't know what made me do it, but the devil on my shoulder was shouting louder than the angel tonight.

Straightening up, I walked out into the hallway. I slapped my hand against my chest and wailed loudly, "Johnny, how could you? You promised me that you wouldn't do this anymore. And in front of our babies. You promised me that you wouldn't cheat anymore. You said it was the last time. Am I going to have to go and get tested again? You know, after the last STD you gave me."

Biting my lip so hard to hold back my laughter that I brought actual tears to my eyes. I didn't stop them as they flowed down my cheeks, adding to the dramatics.

The look of horror on Johnny's face was hysterical. I did feel a little bad, but it was funny as hell. "Mum," Jackson called out, sounding slightly panicked.

"Two!" the woman shrieked. "You've got two children and a wife you gave an STD to. You bastard." With that, she slaps poor Johnny across the face and takes off for the back door.

I can't help it, I lose it, howling with laughter, I slide to the floor.

"What the fuck?" Johnny muttered, running a hand through his hair in agitation. What stopped me laughing was the gentle way he caressed my baby's hair before picking her up and walking over to me.

Jackson had found us by then and was looking nearly as confused as Johnny.

I looked up from where I was sat on the floor at the good-looking Irishman standing over me.

I have to say I admired his restraint because not only had he been slapped, but he'd also been left with what he must have thought was a complete lunatic.

Shaking his head, he held out his hand to me and pulled me up. "You must be the cleaner that Liam hired."

Still smiling, I nodded. "I am. My name's Maya and I'm sorry for what I just did. I can go and catch her if you want and explain that I was just messing around. I don't know what came over me, I just couldn't resist. The timing was perfect."

"Nah, no need," he assured me, patting Emy gently on her back. She'd snuggled right into his neck, her thumb in her mouth and her eyes drooping. She'd be asleep within minutes.

"She was just a stopgap. So," he looked down at Emy, then at Jackson, who had his arm wrapped around my leg, looking uncertain, "you'd better introduce me to my children."

Snorting, I slap a hand over my mouth, trying to stop another bout of laughter escaping. I don't know if I was slaphappy from being so tired or what was going on with me, but for some reason, this man tickled my funny bone and brought out a Maya that I'd not seen in a long time.

He grinned at my snort, eyebrow raised as he waited for me to get myself together. "Right, okay. This is Jackson," I put my hand on Jackson's head and tilted it up so Johnny could see his face. Johnny held out his hand for Jackson to shake, which he did exactly as I'd shown him to years ago. "And the little diva you're holding is Emma or Emy."

Johnny had gone back to patting Emy's back while I made introductions, and she was now fast asleep and drooling on his suit jacket.

"And what are you doing here so late or so early? I thought you came in at around eight in the morning."

Johnny started to walk towards the office with Emy still in his arms. Taking Jackson's hand, I followed along behind them.

"I do usually," I agree. "But Emy's getting her molars, and she was pretty miserable. As none of us were getting any sleep, I decided to bring them with me, and they could watch movies while I cleaned. I'd hoped that a ride in the car and a change of place might work its magic. But it seemed all I needed was to call on a handsome Irishman."

"You think I'm handsome," he smirked at me. I rolled my eyes, "Don't get a big head now. I was thinking of Adam and Liam."

He dramatically collapsed into his office chair at my words, as if I'd done him in. Emy, still firmly held in his arms, he fakes a glare at me, "What? Woman! You've hurt me. Everyone knows I'm the best-looking O'Shea."

Rolling my eyes at his ridiculousness. The man had to know he was delicious. I'd heard about all the women that he had on a revolving door. His smirk alone would have panties catching on fire and they'd be dropping once that dimple came out to play. Pity I'd given up on men and was immune to it.

"You'll get over it," I assured him as I started to pick up the toys we'd brought. Jackson had sunk back onto the couch and looked like he was about ready to go back to sleep. I hesitated, not finishing packing up. If they were all asleep, I could get the rest of the place cleaned.

"What are you thinking, milseán ? "

Biting my lip, wondering why I was so comfortable with him. I'd completely ruined his night, and yet here he was holding my sleeping baby on his chest, not in the least bit worried about the amount of drool that was covering his suit jacket while my other baby got comfortable on his couch.

"I'm thinking that if they both sleep another hour, I can be finished here and then I only have the clubs to do later today while they're at nursery."

"Do you need help?"

I shook my head, "No, I have a system."

"Well then, you go do what you have to do, and the children and I'll be here waiting for you when you're done."

"Are you sure?" I asked uncertainly.

"I promise, milseán , we'll be fine. And if we're not, you're just in the next room."

"Okay," I agree, hurrying out to finish my cleaning.